Choose the Right Synonym for subdue

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining mastery of.
Caesar conquered Gaul vanquish implies a complete overpowering.
vanquished the enemy and ended the war defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.
the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas subdue implies a defeating and suppression.
subdued the native tribes after years of fighting reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.
the city was reduced after a month-long siege overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.
overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.
violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of subdue in a Sentence

The troops were finally able to subdue the rebel forces after many days of fighting.
He was injured while trying to subdue a violent drunk.
She struggled to subdue her fears.

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subdue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of subdue

History and Etymology for subdue

Middle English sodewen, subduen, from Anglo-French soduire, subdure to lead astray, overcome, arrest (influenced in form and meaning by Latin subdere to subject), from Latin subducere to withdraw, remove stealthily